Chapter 23: Taking the Blame

“Just from the traces and hints, I pieced it together. A couple of months ago, the Divine Martial Marquis left the capital for a while and went to the Southern Border to have a private meeting with Father. Not long after that, several people began keeping an eye on my daily whereabouts. A little attention revealed that those were servants from the Marquis of Divine Might’s Residence.”

“So I deduced that Father must be planning a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Divine Might’s Residence.”

Shen Yanzhou calmly put down his bowl of white porridge and replied.

Of course, this was all nonsense he made up on the spot—after all, two months ago, he had not even crossed over yet.

“Oh? You managed to guess that much in advance?”

Yu Chenyu was quite surprised; she had not expected Shen Yanzhou’s mind to be so meticulous.

Just from those subtle details, he could infer so much.

Now that such news had spread, the entire imperial capital was full of speculation and gossip.

Many had begun to suspect that perhaps the Demon Suppression King had deeper intentions behind it all.

“Only by examining every minute detail can one hope to find a thread of survival.” Shen Yanzhou spoke faintly.

“You’re not afraid that when your father returns to the capital, he’ll take a whip to you?” Yu Chenyu smiled, her moist lips curving upward.

“Of course not. Because Father will only think it was at Mother’s suggestion.” Shen Yanzhou stated bluntly.

To outsiders, the Demon Suppression King and his consort appeared loving and harmonious, an exemplary couple. Yet everyone in the mansion knew that the two shared only a cold, distant relationship.

The Demon Suppression King had not set foot in the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard for many years.

“Then why should I take the blame for you?” Yu Chenyu asked, intrigued.

“Does Mother not wish to?”

Shen Yanzhou lifted his eyes and asked in return.

Yu Chenyu froze for a moment.

She did not care how the Demon Suppression King might later interpret her thoughts or intentions, nor did she mind taking the so-called blame.

Still, she felt something strange in her heart.

Logically, she should have been angry that such an unfounded matter was pinned on her… yet she could not find a reason to be angry.

Besides, from a certain point of view, the situation might even benefit her future plans.

“Hehe, what are you saying, Zhou’er? What mother in this world doesn’t love her own child?”

“How could Mother possibly be unwilling?” Yu Chenyu smiled softly, lips lifting with gentle grace.

Naturally, Shen Yanzhou did not believe her words.

He was certain that Yu Chenyu would willingly take this blame precisely because he understood her true purpose hidden behind the scenes.

If the Great Qian capital fell into chaos, only then would Beiyu’s dynasty have the chance to rise.

And within the Great Qian territory, aside from the major noble clans, the most unstable element was none other than the Demon Suppression King.

His seemingly reckless actions actually fit Yu Chenyu’s intent perfectly.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Shen Yanzhou continued eating his steamed bun unhurriedly.

Yu Chenyu, graceful and leisurely, sipped her bird’s nest soup. Her flawless jade-like face framed by soft black hair that flowed freely down her back; a light gauzy robe embroidered with bamboo leaves and drifting clouds wrapped her slender figure. Her long legs crossed slightly to the side, leaving no trace of age upon her at all.

After a short while, a maid came to Yu Chenyu’s side and whispered a report in her ear.

Thanks to the Selfless Sword Heart reaching the stage of Minor Accomplishment the night before, Shen Yanzhou’s spiritual power had greatly strengthened, so he clearly heard the maid’s words.

The Wufan Market had an incident last night? The well-known Tianji Studio was destroyed in a great fire?

At dawn, both the Chilin Guards and the Bureau of Immortal Inspection had gone to investigate.

The entire capital was in an uproar, everyone speculating on what could have happened.

“Tianji Studio… In the original story, it was a stronghold set up by the Nether Sect in the capital.”

“To be destroyed so suddenly—looks like Shen Tian couldn’t hold back his curiosity last night and went there on his own.”

Shen Yanzhou silently chuckled.

Everything had unfolded exactly as he expected, though it had happened sooner than he anticipated.

For the Tianji Studio to destroy itself, there had clearly been a third party involved.

A conflict must have broken out, leaving no other choice.

Was it Wu Ruyue, who after hearing his words, began to harbor seeds of suspicion toward Shen Tian?

Or was it Fu Yuying, the Saintess of the Luofu Cloud Cavern, hidden within the capital?

Yu Chenyu, however, was indifferent to the news.

Too many things happened daily in the capital—very few could still pique her interest.

……

After finishing breakfast, Shen Yanzhou, as usual, left the mansion and strolled leisurely through the long streets—visiting taverns, listening to songs, and teasing Chunchao along the way to harvest some negative emotions.

At the same time, he waited.

After what happened last night, whether it involved Wu Ruyue or Fu Yuying, one of them would surely reach out to him.

Yet not long after he left the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, an unexpected visitor arrived outside.

The old man was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a coarse gray robe. His brows were sharp, temples slightly bulging, hair at his sides just beginning to whiten.

Despite his age, his spirit remained vigorous, his hands clasped behind his back—clearly a martial master.

Behind him stood several household servants and maids of the mansion.

Yu Chenyu sat quietly in the bamboo pavilion, holding a book delicately in her hands as she read in peace.

“Third Uncle, what brings you here?” she asked, glancing up before setting her book down unhurriedly.

The old man was Shen Zhigao, the clan elder of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion and Shen Jingxiao’s paternal uncle.

He remained outside the courtyard and did not step inside.

Consort Yu Chenyu had her own rules—no one was allowed to enter without her permission.

Even the Demon Suppression King, Shen Jingxiao, was no exception.

After all, with her family’s power backed by the Sword Lodge of Qilin City, she had every right and confidence to uphold such rules.

“Jingxiao sent word from the Southern Border. He wants to know why you revealed the matter of the marriage alliance to Yanzhou.” Shen Zhigao frowned, clearly displeased.

As the Demon Suppression King’s uncle, he held a high position in the mansion and real authority at court.

Yet even he was forbidden to step into this courtyard.

Though Yu Chenyu was married to Shen Jingxiao, she had never truly been one of the Shen family. Her demeanor remained aloof and detached.

Now, such an important matter as the marriage alliance had been easily leaked to Shen Yanzhou, causing endless speculation in the capital.

The Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion was now under public scrutiny, criticized and suspected by the court, and its long-standing reputation had suffered.

This had angered not only the clan elders but also Shen Jingxiao himself, who had sent a secret letter to inquire.

“I let it slip by accident and he found out. What, is Third Uncle here to blame me for it?”

Yu Chenyu spoke slowly, her tone mild.

Shen Zhigao’s frown deepened, his discontent plain on his face. He snorted coldly. “You spoil Yanzhou far too much. A marriage alliance is not something to take lightly.”

“I do spoil him. After all, since childhood he has been unloved by both father and grandfather. It’s hard for him even to see his own father’s face. If Shen Jingxiao is displeased, then let him return to the capital and meet me—I’ll explain it to him myself.” Yu Chenyu’s posture remained poised, her tone serene.

Shen Zhigao could barely suppress the anger rising in his chest. “A doting mother ruins her son! It’s all because you’ve spoiled that boy rotten that he’s become so unruly! Look at the messes he’s caused in the capital over the years—how do you think outsiders see our Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion now?”

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